Why Can't You Use Mobile Devices on Planes?

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Good news for frequent business travelers! The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a U.S. agency that governs aviation safety, is reassessing regulations regarding the use of portable electronics on airplanes.  Casual travelers, professional passengers and bloggers everywhere seem to have one common question, “What took so long?”

Laura J. Brown, FAA deputy assistant administrator for public affairs, told The New York Times, “With the advent of new and evolving electronic technology, and because the airlines have not conducted the testing necessary to approve the use of new devices, the FAA is taking a fresh look at the use of personal electronic devices, other than cellphones, on aircraft.”

Cellphone use is banned on most flights unless the transmitting device is disabled. Current standards require all electronics o be powered down during taxi, takeoff and landing. According to American Airlines, CD players, MP3 players, DVD players, and laptop computers can be used with headsets when the flight is above 10,000 feet in the air. Also, film, digital or video cameras can be used for recording personal events but not airline personnel, equipment, or procedures. Hearing aids, cochlear implants, heart pacemakers, or approved medical devices such as ventilators and respirators are accepted during all phases of flight.

Once the door has closed, the electronics that are specifically prohibited from use any time on the airplane include:

  • cellphones (to make or receive calls)
  • two-way pagers
  • radios
  • TV sets
  • remote controls (example: DVD, CD, game, or toy remote controls)
  • a cordless computer mouse
  • commercial TV or cameras
  • walkie-talkies
  • wireless headphones
  • e-cigarettes
     

No one wants to put anyone’s life in jeopardy, but no one wants to put down the book they’re reading while traveling either. Amazon Kindles and other e-readers are some of the most controversial electronics in the debate about whether it’s necessary to turn everything off.

 

New York Times blogger Nick Bilton was so passionate about the issue that he had his Kindle tested at EMT Labs, an independent testing facility in Mountain View, Calif., that screens electrical emissions of gadgets that need to pass health, safety and interference standards. After a number of tests, the company consistently found that the Amazon Kindle e-reader emitted less than 30 microvolts (or 0.00003 of a volt) per meter when in use. That’s well below the 100 volts per meter of electrical interference a plane can withstand and still be approved as safe by the FAA.

After reviewing the results of the test Jay Gandhi, chief executive of EMT Labs, stated, “The power coming off a Kindle is completely minuscule and can’t do anything to interfere with a plane. It’s so low that it just isn’t sending out any real interference.”

EMT’s engineers also argue against the belief that more Kindles will create a greater level of interference. Kevin Bothmann, EMT Labs testing manager explained, “Electromagnetic energy doesn’t add up like that. Five Kindles will not put off five times the energy that one Kindle would. If it added up like that, people wouldn’t be able to go into offices where there are dozens of computers without wearing protective gear.”

The masses stuck in coach class or on commuter flights with little available entertainment wise might be willing to take the risk anyway, since they could already be exposed to radiation in TSA full body scanners. In the modern wireless society, people are tethered to their devices more than ever before and government agencies are taking notice.

Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, said in a release, “With so many different types of devices available, we recognize that this is an issue of consumer interest. Safety is our highest priority, and we must set appropriate standards as we help the industry consider when passengers can use the latest technologies safely during a flight.”

The FAA intends to loosen the rules as early as March 2013 depending upon their findings. Based on the study results, it could be possible to stay engrossed in your e-book while listening to your MP3 player as your travel companion records a video of you during takeoff. Even if it won't post to YouTube until you’re in the air.

Image courtesy of nokhoog_buchachon via Free Digital Photos.
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  • Heather Fairchild
    Heather Fairchild •
    Sorry for the finger slip on the year but yes they will be making changes by early next year. Kim don't worry medical equipment is permitted during all phases of flight. Lawrence, I appreciate your insight! It seems now airlines are gearing up to implement wireless access on more flights which means they've probably figured out how to profit by allowing people to utilize their own devices on planes.
  • George
    George •
    Thanks Braulio and Brett. I fixed the date. The target date is actually March 2013.  - Ed.
  • Joseph D
    Joseph D •
    There was actually a funny coincidence between the advent of the "no cell phones" restriction and an episode of the old TV series "LA Law." In the episode, several of the lawyers in the show's subject legal group were "trapped" aboard a plane that had left the gate, but had been sitting on the tarmack for some time.  One of the lawyers pulls out his cell phone, calls a friendly judge, and gets a court order requiring the plane to return to the gate so that he and his partners can de-plane in favor of alternate transportation.  Now the funny coincidence is that the "no cell phones" restriction surfaced within a month of the first airing of that episode.  Conspiracy theory? Perhaps ... but not so far fetched in a business world obsessed with money and the Captain's absolute control of the aircraft once it departs the gate.
  • Kim N
    Kim N •
    What about diabetic medical devices such as an insulin pump. Would such device interfere with the airplane's instruments? Let's hope not.
  • Glenn S
    Glenn S •
    It's about time!  I knew, having some electronics background, that the whole notion of such electronic devices interfering interfering with aircraft communications was absolutely bogus.
  • Lawrence D
    Lawrence D •
    The restriction to equipment by airlines was made so they could profit by providing the phone and screen at every seat back. The airlines wanted no competition.While working as electronic  ground crew on aircraft we used 5 Watt 2 way radio in cockpit with the equipment ON, and could not observe any disruption.
  • Stan S
    Stan S •
    Unless and until the airlines can monetize the use of these devices they will fight it tooth and nail.
  • Braulio R
    Braulio R •
    Good article but is it March 2012 or March 2013? If its indeed March 2012 then its kind of late isn't it?
  • Brett H
    Brett H •
    "The FAA intends to loosen the rules a early as March 2012 depending upon their findings."   Should that be 2013?

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